Blinken: – The US does not support independence for Taiwan
The US secretary of state assured China that Washington would not deviate from the so-called one-China policy.
– This policy has not changed. We do not support Taiwan independence, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference in Beijing.
The statement came after he met Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The One China Policy is about there being only one government representing China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, namely the authority in Beijing.
Earlier that day, Blinken had talks with Foreign Minister Qin Gang and top diplomat Wang Yi.
Wang demanded clear speech from the US regarding Taiwan.
“The US side must adhere to the one-China principle set out in the three joint statements between China and the US, respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely oppose ‘Taiwan independence’,” Wang said.
The Chinese criticize the US for speaking two languages, even when it comes to Taiwan. China’s top diplomat made it clear that there was no room for compromise on this issue.
Blinken made it clear that the US does not want a change in the status quo, either from China or Taiwan, in the absence of a deal.
– We still hope for a peaceful solution to the differences in the (Taiwan) Straits, said Blinken.
At the same time, Blinken made it clear that the US is obligated to ensure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself, pursuant to the “Taiwan Relations Act”.
US President Joe Biden has repeatedly said that Taiwan will receive US military support if China uses force against the island.
Both President Xi and Foreign Minister Blinken today stressed the importance of a more stable relationship between the US and China, as a conflict between the world’s two largest economies will have global consequences.
– If there is a crisis in Taiwan, it is likely to cause an economic crisis that could really affect the whole world, said Blinken.
He explained that fifty percent of commercial container traffic passes through the Taiwan Strait every day.
Additionally, seventy percent of the world’s semiconductors are produced in Taiwan.
– If a crisis causes this to break, it could have dramatic consequences for almost every country in the world, said Blinken.
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